galactic tourist industrial complex

Tobias S. Buckell

Author, Futurist

A Little About My Latest Story “Galactic Tourist Industrial Complex” (Launching Today in New Suns: Original Speculative Fiction by People of Color)

I have a new story out in the world today. It is called “Galactic Tourist Industrial Complex” and you can find in the anthology New Suns: Original Speculative Fiction by People of Color , edited by Nisi Shawl.

I was very honored when Nisi reached out to me to see if I would write a story for this anthology. Nisi has been one of the most insightful reviewers of my fiction since the very beginning. Whenever I see a review from her of my work it quickly becomes clear that she ‘gets’ everything I ah trying to do in a book. Her review of Hurricane Fever in the LA Review of Books remains so dead on to what I was trying to write that I still have a print out of it in my office. Her comments on Ragamuffin really encouraged me. Her novel Everfair was an amazing steampunk novel, set in the Belgian Congo, that I read far too late to blurb it, to my regret.

As the deadline to write the story approached, I had just gotten back from a trip to the Caribbean where I saw the largest tourist playground of my life, and I’ve seen a lot of them, designed by the same folk who did the great big palm tree in the ocean in the Middle East. It was mega-engineering. The sort of thing you gawp at. It was like an alien world had been dropped onto the island in question.

It was gaudy.

It was impressive.

It was big.

It was like the death star of tourist resorts. You could hate what it did or stood for (some folk I talked to certainly did), or you could be proud of it (some taxi drivers I spoke to were), but the engineering alone was still wildly amazing to behold.

For the first time, I wrote down the phrase ‘Tourist Industrial Complex’ in a notebook, based on the ‘ military industrial complex ‘ concept Eisenhower created to help me put something into words I’d long struggled with.

After that, I had to come up with a story.

Here’s the beginning of that story to whet your appetite:

When the aliens arrived at JFK they reeked of ammonia, sulphur, and something else that Tavi never could quite put a finger on. He was used to it all after several years of shuttling them through the outer tanks and waiting for their gear to spit ozone and adapt to Earth’s air. He would load luggage, specialized environmental adaptation equipment, and crosscheck the being’s needs, itenerary, and sight seeing needs.  What he wasn’t expecting was for a four hundred pound, octopus-like creature to open the door of his cab a thousand feet over the new Brooklyn Bridge on the way into Manhattan, filling the cab with an explosion of cold, screaming air and lighting the dash up with alarms. He also definitely wasn’t expecting the alien to scream “look at those spires!” through a speaker that translated language for it. And for a long moment, after the alien jumped out of the cab, Tavi just kept flying straight ahead, frozen in shock. This couldn’t be happening. Not to him. Not in his broken down old cab he’d been just keeping going and with a re-up on the Manhattan license due soon. # To fly into Manhattan you needed a permit, and Tavi was up to date. That was the first thing he panicked about, because a few years ago he’d let it lapse for a bit. The New York Tourism Bereau hadn’t just fined him, but banned him from operating for a while. Tavi had limped along on some odd jobs, tank cleaning at the airport, cleaning out the backs of the cabs when they came back after a run to the island, and other muck work. But no, he breathed, all his licenses were up to date. And he knew that it was a horrible thing to worry about as he circled the water near the bridge, he should be worrying about his passenger. Maybe this alien was able to withstand long falls, Tavi thought. Maybe. But it wasn’t coming up. He had a contact card somewhere in the dash screen’s memory. He tapped, calling the alien. “Please answer. Please.” But it did not pick up. What did he know about the alien. It looked like some octupus-type thing. What did that mean? They shouldn’t have even been walking around, so it had to have been wearing an exoskeleton of some kind. Could that have protected it? Tavi circled the water once more. He had to call this in. But then the police would start hassling him about past mistakes. Somehow this would be his fault. He would lose his permit to fly into Manhattan. And it was Manhattan that the aliens loved above all else. The authentic American experience. Most of it was built up with zones for varying kinds of aliens. Methane breathers in the Garment district, the buildings capped with translucent covers and an alien atmosphere. Hydrogen types were all north of Central Park. He found the sheer number of shops fun to browse, but very little of sold anything of use to humans. In the beginning, a lot of researchers and scientists had rushed there to buy what the Galactics were all selling, sure they could reverse engineer what they found. It was a lot of cheap alien stuff that purported to be made in Earth but wasn’t. Last year some government agency purchased a ‘real’ human sports car that could be shipped back to the home planet of your choice. It had an engine inside that seemed to be some kind of anti-gravity device that got everyone really excited. It exploded when they cracked the casing, taking out several city blocks. When confronted about it, the tall, furry saurapod-like aliens that had several other models in their windows on Broadway shrugged and said it wasn’t made by them, they just shipped them to Earth to sell. But the Galactics packed the city buying that shit when they weren’t slouching beside the lakes in Central Park. If Tavi couldn’t get to Manhattan, he didn’t have a job. With a groan Tavi tapped 9-1-1. There were going to be a lot of questions. He was going to be in it up to his neck. But if he took off, they’d have his transponder on file. Then he’d look guilty. With a faint clenching in his stomach Tavi prepared for his day to go wrong.

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A cab driver spends an ordinary day ferrying passengers around Manhattan -- until an incident involving a wealthy alien tourist imperils his livelihood. Content advisory: alien death.

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Science Friday

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When Galactic Tourism Goes Awry: Exploring New Suns

On January 28, join us to explore how cities might transform if Earth was a tourist destination for intergalactic travel.

When Galactic Tourism Goes Awry: The Science of Tobias S. Buckell’s The Galactic Tourist Industrial Complex

• When: Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. ET
• Where: Science Friday’s Zoom Webinar
• Tickets: Free! Registration required.

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Have you ever wondered how cities would transform if humanity was not only in contact with alien lifeforms, but Earth was a tourist destination for intergalactic travel? Or maybe you wonder about how humans and technology have coevolved, and will continue to do so?

Join speculative fiction author Tobias S. Buckell and astrobiologist Graham Lau as they explore the scientific topics in Buckell’s story, The Galactic Tourist Industrial Complex , featured in SciFri Book Club’s book choice, New Suns: Original Speculative Fiction by People of Color . You’ll even have a chance to ask a question to our guests!

Attendees are encouraged to read the story in advance, as we will include questions and thoughts from audience members! You can get the book from your local library or bookstore, or if you have a Brooklyn Public Library card or eCard, you can access to the ebook version of New Suns , or place a hold and checkout the physical book during Lobby Service hours.

Born in the Caribbean, Tobias S. Buckell is a New York Times Bestselling and World Fantasy Award winning author. His novels and almost one hundred stories have been translated into nineteen different languages. He has been nominated for the Hugo Award, Nebula Award, World Fantasy Award, and Astounding Award for Best New Science Fiction Author. He currently lives in Ohio.

Graham Lau is an astrobiologist and communicator of science. He serves as the Director of Communications and Marketing for Blue Marble Space and as the Director of Logistics for the University Rover Challenge. Dr. Lau also Hosts of the NASA Astrobiology show called “Ask an Astrobiologist”.

This program will be viewable post-event via Science Friday’s YouTube page .

This event will take place online via Zoom. Please RSVP to receive the Zoom link prior to the event.

By registering for this event, you will be subscribing to the Science Friday email list. You can unsubscribe at any time.

ABOUT “EXPLORING NEW SUNS”: Science Friday has partnered with Brooklyn Public Library to host a series of virtual events that focus on stories from New Suns: Original Speculative Fiction by People of Color , edited by Nisi Shawl. Each evening, we will discuss a story from New Suns , and the author will be joined by a scientist who can shed more light on the concepts explored. It’s SciArts magic streamed right into the comfort of your own space!

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Immersive Remix: "The Galactic Tourist Industrial Complex" by Tobias S. Buckell LeVar Burton Reads

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Get a sneak peek of our immersive sound! A cab driver spends an ordinary day ferrying passengers around Manhattan -- until an incident involving a wealthy alien tourist imperils his livelihood. Content advisory: alien death.

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The Galactic Tourist Industrial Complex

Sturgeon Award-nominated Short Story

A cab driver spends an ordinary day ferrying passengers around Manhattan - until an incident involving a wealthy alien tourist imperils his livelihood.

This story was originally published in the anthology New Suns: Original Speculative Fiction by People of Color , edited by Nisi Shawl, and has also been anthologized in The Year's Best Science Fiction Vol. 1: The Saga Anthology of Science Fiction 2020 , edited by Jonathan Strahan.

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"The Galactic Tourist Industrial Complex" by Tobias S. Buckell

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40 Facts About Elektrostal

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 10 May 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

Elektrostal's fascinating history, vibrant culture, and promising future make it a city worth exploring. For more captivating facts about cities around the world, discover the unique characteristics that define each city . Uncover the hidden gems of Moscow Oblast through our in-depth look at Kolomna. Lastly, dive into the rich industrial heritage of Teesside, a thriving industrial center with its own story to tell.

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Norilsk: The city built by gulag prisoners where Russia guards its Arctic secrets

Environmental activists are frustrated by how authorities handled a diesel spill which poured into two Arctic rivers in late May.

International correspondent @DiMagnaySky

Friday 3 July 2020 23:41, UK

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The drive from Norilsk airport to the city takes you past mile after mile of crumbling, Soviet-era factories.

It looks like an endless, rusting scrapyard - a jumble of pipes, industrial junk and frost-bitten brickwork. If you were looking for an industrial apocalypse film setting, this would be your place - but you're unlikely to get the permissions.

Norilsk was built in Stalin's times by gulag prisoners. This gritty industrial city is a testament to their endurance both of the cruelty of Stalin's regime and of the harsh polar climate. There were no thoughts then on how to build to protect the environment, just to survive it.

Vasily Ryabinin doesn't think much has changed, at least in ecological terms. He used to work for the local branch of the federal environmental watchdog, Rosprirodnadzor, but quit in June after exposing what he says was a failure to investigate properly the environmental impact of the gigantic diesel spill which poured into two Arctic rivers in late May.

At 21,000 tonnes, it was the largest industrial spill in the polar Arctic .

Despite the Kremlin declaring a federal emergency and sending a host of different agencies to participate in the clean-up, just last week Mr Ryabinin and activists from Greenpeace Russia found another area where technical water used in industrial processes was being pumped directly into the tundra from a nearby tailing pond. Russia's investigative committee has promised to investigate.

"The ecological situation here is so bad," Mr Ryabinin says.

"The latest constructions such as the tailing pond at the Talnack ore-processing plant were built exclusively by Nornickel chief executive Vladimir Potanin's team and supposedly in accordance with ecological standards, but on satellite images you can see that all the lakes in the vicinity have unnatural colours and obviously something has got into them."

Mining company Nornickel would disagree. It has admitted flagrant violations at the tailing pond and suspended staff it deems responsible at both the Talnack plant and at Norilsk Heat and Power plant no 3 where the diesel spill originated from.

On Thursday it appointed Andrey Bougrov, from its senior management board, to the newly-created role of senior vice president for environmental protection. It has a clear environmental strategy, provides regular updates on the status of the spill, and its Twitter feed is filled with climate-related alerts.

But what investors read is very different to the picture on the ground.

Norilsk used to be a closed city - one of dozens across the Soviet Union shut off to protect industrial secrets. Foreigners need special permissions approved by the Federal Security Service (FSB) to enter the region. It would take an invitation from Nornickel to make that happen and, for the past month since the spill, that has not been forthcoming.

Unlike in Soviet times, Russian citizens are now free to come and go. That's why our Sky News Moscow team were able to fly in and travel around the city, even if getting to the spill site was blocked. What they were able to film provides a snapshot of the immense challenge Russia faces in upgrading its Soviet-era industrial infrastructure, particularly at a time when climate change is melting the permafrost on which much of it was built.

Just downwind from one of the rusting factories on the city outskirts is a huge expanse of dead land. The skeletal remains of trees stand forlorn against the howling Arctic winds. Sulphur dioxide poisoning has snuffed the life out of all that lived here. Norilsk is the world's worst emitter of sulphur dioxide by a substantial margin.

"For 80km south of here everything is dead," Mr Ryabinin says, "and for at least 10km in that direction too. Everything here depends on the wind."

Immediately after the spill, Mr Ryabinin filmed and took samples from the Daldykan river just a few kilometres from the fuel tank which had leaked. By that point the river was a churning mix of diesel and red sludge dredged up from the riverbed by the force of the leak. Norilsk's rivers have turned red before and the chemical residues have sunk to the bottom, killing all life there. Nothing has lived in those rivers for decades.

In his capacity as deputy head of the local environmental watchdog, Mr Ryabinin says he insisted that he be allowed to fly further north to check the levels of contamination in Lake Pyasino and beyond.

Nornickel at the time claimed the lake was untouched by the spill. Mr Ryabinin says his boss encouraged him to let things be.

"I can't be sure I would have found anything, but this sort of confrontation - making sure I didn't go there with a camera, let alone with bottles for taking samples, it was all very clear to me. It was the final straw."

Rosprirodnadzor refused to comment to Sky News on Mr Ryabinin's allegations or suggestions that the agency was working hand in hand with Nornickel.

Georgy Kavanosyan is an environmental blogger with a healthy 37,000 following on YouTube. Shortly after the spill, he set out for Lake Pyasino and to the Pyasina River beyond to see how far the diesel had spread.

"We set out at night so that the Norilsk Nickel security wouldn't detect us. I say at night, but they've got polar nights there now, north of the Arctic Circle. So it's still light but it's quieter and we managed to go past all the cordons."

He is one of the few to have provided evidence that the diesel has in fact travelled far beyond where the company admits. Not just the 1,200km (745m) length of Lake Pyasino but into the river beyond.

He says his measurements indicated a volume of hydrocarbons dissolved in the water of between two and three times normal levels. He thinks after he published his findings on YouTube, the authorities' vigilance increased.

Greenpeace Russia have spent the last two weeks trying to obtain samples from Lake Pyasino and the surrounding area. They have faced difficulties getting around and flying their samples out for independent analysis.

They are now waiting for results from a laboratory in St Petersburg but say the samples remain valid technically for just four days after collection and that they weren't able to make that deadline due to the authorities' actively obstructing their work.

Elena Sakirko from Greenpeace Russia specialises in oil spills and says this has happened to her before. This time, a police helicopter flew to the hunter's hut where they were staying and confiscated the fuel for the boat they were using. Then a deputy for the Moscow city parliament tasked with bringing the samples back from Norilsk was forced to go back empty-handed.

"We were told at the airport we needed permission from the security department of Nornickel," Ms Sakirko says. "We asked them to show us some law or statement to prove that this was legal or what the basis for this was, but they haven't showed us anything and we still don't understand it."

Nornickel announced this week that the critical stage of the diesel spill is over. The company is now finalising dates for a press tour for foreign media and for other international environmentalists.

Mr Ryabinin thinks this should have happened weeks ago.

"If we don't let scientists come to the Arctic region to evaluate the impact of the accident, then in the future if anything similar happens, we won't know what to do."

A spokesperson for Nornickel said the company "is actively cooperating with the scientific community and will meticulously assess both the causes and effects of the accident."

Nornickel considers permafrost thawing to be the primary cause of the accident, but is waiting for the end of investigation before making a final statement, the spokesperson said.

They added that the company "accepts full responsibility for the incidents on its sites these past two months and holds itself accountable for any infrastructural deficits or poor decisions by personnel.

"The imperative is to do everything to clean up our sites, instil a stronger culture of transparency and safety in our workforce, and ensure that such situations do not occur in the future."

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The Galactic Tourist Industrial Complex

By Tobias S. Buckell , first published in New Suns: Original Speculative Fiction of People of Color .

A cynical cab driver who ferries alien tourists from a spaceport to New York City is unwillingly involved in a cover-up when a drugged-up alien throws itself from his cab and dies. Shortly thereafter, a relative of the dead alien comes looking for answers with a ship that could destroy the world.

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Tavi makes his living as a cab driver for the flocks of alien tourists whose visits to New York City support America's economy. His margins are slim and his flying cab is always on the verge of breaking down. One day he picks up an alien cephalopod for a routine ride from the spaceport to NYC, but halfway through the ride the alien, high on something, opens the cab door and throws itself out. Despite his fears that he will have his licence revoked, Tavi does the right thing and reports the incident, only to find that the Tourist Bureau intends to cover the incident up. America is now so reliant on intergalactic tourism they can't afford to lose any business. The Bureau replaces Tavi's cab to buy his silence, and Tavi uncomfortably accepts the deal. However, a relative of the dead alien soon shows up, asking for information. It has figured out that the Bureau is covering something up, and has brought backup in the form of a ship that could destroy the Earth. A terrified representative from the Bureau tells Tavi to go along with the alien, but not to implicate the Bureau. Tavi feels the need to tell the truth, and does. The alien accepts this story and accepts his family member's death as a natural outcome of tourism on a primitive place like earth. The intergalactic tourist industry on earth spikes soon afterwards as aliens rush in - after all, where else can such a risky and adventurous tourist experience be found nowadays?

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